Saturday, January 26, 2008
Our Weekend in Orlando
We decided to slip away for the weekend - take a bit of a break from all the craziness and just have some fun together. Our mission was simple: see Spiderman and then ride the carousel and train. We arrived in town around 3:30pm Friday and went straight to Islands of Adventure. We went to say hi to Spiderman and then Joshua went with Scott on the Spiderman 3-D ride for the first time. He didn't seem to like it that much. When we put him to bed he kept telling us that the bad guys had touched his eyes. We had to remind him that Spiderman was there to catch the bad guys and that he was safe. Anna on the other hand didn't really want to go too close to Spiderman. She said hi to him but then backed off. We hung around for a while and he played around with her, trying to make her comfortable with him, edging closer, but she still didn't want any of it - even after he blew her a kiss. At least she got to see him though, that's what mattered most to both of them.
Today we went to see Spiderman again. This time they both went up to him and Anna let him hold her close so that we could get a photo of both Joshua and Anna with him. We got some really cool ones which we'll put up for everyone to see. After that we went to Dr Seussland for the carousel and train rides. On our way out we saw the Grinch and Thing 1 and Thing 2 and got some photos of the kids with them too.
This time round the kids walked around by themselves. We haven't used a stroller with them for a few months and we decided that if they survived us dragging them everywhere in DC without a stroller, that they could do the parks for 2-3 hours without too much trouble. They both really enjoyed their independence and their adventure started right from the moment we stepped onto a moving walkway. They had just as much fun walking to the parks as they did inside of it.
Scott said something to me today that reminded me how blessed we are. He told me how coming to the theme parks is something we can do as often as we like and yet for a lot of people it's a vacation of a lifetime. He was telling me how much he enjoys watching people have so much fun and making the most of the time they have at the parks. It really is true - because we have annual passes we kind of take it for granted that we can come when we're in the mood, but we have to remind ourselves to appreciate it and make the most of the time we spend there.
Today we went to see Spiderman again. This time they both went up to him and Anna let him hold her close so that we could get a photo of both Joshua and Anna with him. We got some really cool ones which we'll put up for everyone to see. After that we went to Dr Seussland for the carousel and train rides. On our way out we saw the Grinch and Thing 1 and Thing 2 and got some photos of the kids with them too.
This time round the kids walked around by themselves. We haven't used a stroller with them for a few months and we decided that if they survived us dragging them everywhere in DC without a stroller, that they could do the parks for 2-3 hours without too much trouble. They both really enjoyed their independence and their adventure started right from the moment we stepped onto a moving walkway. They had just as much fun walking to the parks as they did inside of it.
Scott said something to me today that reminded me how blessed we are. He told me how coming to the theme parks is something we can do as often as we like and yet for a lot of people it's a vacation of a lifetime. He was telling me how much he enjoys watching people have so much fun and making the most of the time they have at the parks. It really is true - because we have annual passes we kind of take it for granted that we can come when we're in the mood, but we have to remind ourselves to appreciate it and make the most of the time we spend there.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Settling in to our new routine
It's been almost two weeks now since Joshua and Anna have started school and we're finally getting used to our new routine. As much as we knew that this time would come, in many ways it's hard to believe that's it's here already. Yes, it is only preschool, but it's the same preparation and routine that we'll have when they start Kindergarten. It's strange to be making lunches every night for the next day and setting their clothes out on a Sunday for the whole week.
As new as this is to all of us, we're really enjoying it. The kids love school!!! They look forward to it every day and would stay there all day if they could. Joshua's enjoying Kumon too. He goes on Monday and Thursday afternoons for about 15/20 minutes and every night he has homework to do. We're doing all that we can now to best equip them for later on in life.
As for me - I'm enjoying the alone time that I'm getting. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes to me. I really do appreciate that space that I get even if it's only for two or three hours a day and I'm making good use of the time. I've done things around the house and I've been able to work on some business things to get our business off the ground which we'll be launching in the next couple of weeks. Overall, it's been very good for us.
As new as this is to all of us, we're really enjoying it. The kids love school!!! They look forward to it every day and would stay there all day if they could. Joshua's enjoying Kumon too. He goes on Monday and Thursday afternoons for about 15/20 minutes and every night he has homework to do. We're doing all that we can now to best equip them for later on in life.
As for me - I'm enjoying the alone time that I'm getting. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes to me. I really do appreciate that space that I get even if it's only for two or three hours a day and I'm making good use of the time. I've done things around the house and I've been able to work on some business things to get our business off the ground which we'll be launching in the next couple of weeks. Overall, it's been very good for us.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Anna's first day of Preschool
Anna started her first day of school today. We took her in, put her stuff away, met her teacher and then she went straight to the playground to play with the rest of her classmates. When I tried to say goodbye to her, she didn't really want too much to do with me. She was already busy climbing up the jungle gym and fitting right in, like she'd been going to school forever too. When I picked her up she was super tired. She looked like she was ready to fall asleep right on her feet. She had a good day without any issues and made lots of new friends.
It feels good knowing that both Joshua and Anna are finally in school. We're excited about all the new they'll be learning and we know that this is going to be great for all of us. We are so very blessed with two kids who love life and the adventures that they have everyday.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Joshua's first day of Preschool
Joshua's first day of school was both bittersweet and exciting. He walked into class as if he'd been there so many times. He didn't even say goodbye to me when Scott took him in. When I went in to give him a hug and a kiss he was busy playing with some toys and wasn't sad at all to see me leave.
When I picked him up at noon, he was so tired!! He'd had an activity filled day and his teacher said he was good and that he'd had a good time. We went to lunch at Wendy's and then it was off to Kumon.
By the time we got home I think he was way beyond tired so he couldn't fall asleep. He did have some rest time in his room which helped him make it through the rest of the day.
This is definitely one of the best decisions we've made for him. We can already tell how much of a difference it's made in his life. He's even happier than before and we're looking forward to him enjoying school more everyday.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Our babies are growing so quickly.
Tomorrow is the start of a whole new adventure for us. We're about to enter the world of new friends, packed lunches and marking everything with the kids names. And then of course for Scott and I - sadness, joy, nervousness and worry. Yip, that's right, Joshua will be starting his first day of preschool. Yay!!!! He's so excited. He's been telling us for a while now that he wants to go to school and now it's going to happen.
Anna will be following him in a week or two. I'll be spending some mother/daughter quality time with her first, which, except for a three day trip to Colorado last year, we haven't really had much of. I'm really, really looking forward to this and I'm going to make the most of this special time that we have together!
Anna will be following him in a week or two. I'll be spending some mother/daughter quality time with her first, which, except for a three day trip to Colorado last year, we haven't really had much of. I'm really, really looking forward to this and I'm going to make the most of this special time that we have together!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Kids really do say the darndest things!
This last week has been filled with wonderful moments with the kids. The kind of moments that you just HAVE to write about so that you never forget.
Let me start with Joshua. I was putting him to bed the other night. We had said our prayers, and sung and I was talking to him - telling him that I love him and giving him hugs and kisses. As I was getting ready to get up from his bed he put his hands on either side of my head and told me to hold on. When I asked him "what?", all he said was "I love you!". Three little words. Words that by themself don't mean much, but when they're spoken spontaneously and with such sincerity and seriousness, they can really melt a mothers' heart! On another day were were getting ready to run some errands and I came out the room and he took one look at me and said "you look gorgeous" in this loud voice with a cute smile on his face. Again, another one of those "melt a mothers' heart" moments.
And now for Anna. We were driving somewhere (I think to dinner) and she was calling me: "mommy, mommy". Before I could answer her Scott said: "yes Anna" and she said to him: "not you daddy, I want to talk to mommy". When I said: "yes, Anna" she said: "I love you mommy". Just like that, out of the blue! My little princess who is so tough and feisty (I wonder where she gets that from?), reminded me in that moment just how sweet and soft and loving she really is. It really was so cute and definitely another "melt my heart" moments.
As the days go by, I watch how quickly Joshua and Anna grow. I'm amazed too at how they learn from everyone around them. They notice EVERYTHING!! They're like little sponges - absorbing all that they can from their environment. It's funny to hear them use the words and expressions that Scott and I do. We have our own little "mini-me's" running around and as entertaining as it can be, if we stop for just a moment, we realise that we are the two people in their lives that are going to have the greatest impact on them. I don't think we realise the true significance of that until we have our own kids. Yes it's one of the greatest blessings in the world to be a parent, but at the same time it's also a job that has the greatest responsibility.
And during those times that we hear the "I love you's and the "you look gorgeous" or feel their hugs and kisses, we're able to forget about the seriousness and responsibility involved in being a parent. We get to revel in those special moments and remind ourselves that moments like that, make what we do everyday worth it!
Let me start with Joshua. I was putting him to bed the other night. We had said our prayers, and sung and I was talking to him - telling him that I love him and giving him hugs and kisses. As I was getting ready to get up from his bed he put his hands on either side of my head and told me to hold on. When I asked him "what?", all he said was "I love you!". Three little words. Words that by themself don't mean much, but when they're spoken spontaneously and with such sincerity and seriousness, they can really melt a mothers' heart! On another day were were getting ready to run some errands and I came out the room and he took one look at me and said "you look gorgeous" in this loud voice with a cute smile on his face. Again, another one of those "melt a mothers' heart" moments.
And now for Anna. We were driving somewhere (I think to dinner) and she was calling me: "mommy, mommy". Before I could answer her Scott said: "yes Anna" and she said to him: "not you daddy, I want to talk to mommy". When I said: "yes, Anna" she said: "I love you mommy". Just like that, out of the blue! My little princess who is so tough and feisty (I wonder where she gets that from?), reminded me in that moment just how sweet and soft and loving she really is. It really was so cute and definitely another "melt my heart" moments.
As the days go by, I watch how quickly Joshua and Anna grow. I'm amazed too at how they learn from everyone around them. They notice EVERYTHING!! They're like little sponges - absorbing all that they can from their environment. It's funny to hear them use the words and expressions that Scott and I do. We have our own little "mini-me's" running around and as entertaining as it can be, if we stop for just a moment, we realise that we are the two people in their lives that are going to have the greatest impact on them. I don't think we realise the true significance of that until we have our own kids. Yes it's one of the greatest blessings in the world to be a parent, but at the same time it's also a job that has the greatest responsibility.
And during those times that we hear the "I love you's and the "you look gorgeous" or feel their hugs and kisses, we're able to forget about the seriousness and responsibility involved in being a parent. We get to revel in those special moments and remind ourselves that moments like that, make what we do everyday worth it!
Christmas Time
Another Christmas has come and gone. We were planning on spending a quiet day at home, but a friend of ours invited us for dinner so we spent the evening with her and her family. We spent Christmas Eve with our friends across the road from us and had a traditional Mexican Christmas Eve meal, which was great. Joshua and Anna spent the night playing with their friends and making some new ones too.
The kids enjoyed opening presents Christmas morning. We had to work to get them interested in doing it, though. All they wanted to do was to open up the doll and aquadoodle mat that they had received from our neighbours the night before. It made me realise that kids are happy with only one or two things. We don't have to go completely crazy and give them so many things. It's the simple things that bring them the greatest joy.
This was the first year that I spent baking cookies to give to some of our friends and neighbours. It's been a LONG time since I've spent any time in the kitchen baking, but it was tons of fun getting back into it. I made Chocolate cookies sandwiched with cream cheese frosting, Oatmeal butterscotch cookies (both of these compliments of Paula Deen's recipes), peanut clusters and chocolate covered pretzels. I made them into gift baskets and gave them out. It all turned out so much better than I expected!!
All in all we had a wonderful, laid back Christmas holiday. Now it's back to the New Year, new year's resolutions and preparing for next Christmas.
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